Ratcliff

English

"red cliff"

Ratcliff Origin and Meaning

The name Ratcliff is a boy's name.

Ratcliff is primarily an English surname that has occasionally transitioned into use as a masculine given name. Its origins lie in Old English topographic naming, derived from 'red cliff' (from 'read' meaning red and 'clif' meaning slope or cliff), indicating someone who lived near a reddish hillside or cliff face. As a first name, Ratcliff represents the ongoing trend of using traditional surnames as given names, particularly in English-speaking countries. This practice gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries as families sought to preserve maternal family names or honor notable relatives. Though relatively uncommon as a first name, Ratcliff carries an aristocratic, distinguished quality with strong Anglo-Saxon associations.